Christmas traditions.  I just sat here for three hours and wrote a really long post on all things "Christmas Traditions", but all I wanted to talk about is this beautiful place we went to.  A place that to me is magical and we will always participate as long as we are in Portland.  I will eventually post bits and pieces of our holiday traditions and how I went from being a "joy kill" during the holidays to really embracing the moment and discovering the Joy that the Lord gifted.  Because it really did take me a few years to learn to except that we are not alone in Florida any more, that what my husband and I built for nine year, as far as Christmas traditions goes, had to start over.  With time things worked out and I love all the chaos that this season brings. whereas before it overwhelmed me, took my joy away.  I learned it was my choice.  My choice to find Joy in Jesus and be strong in it, daily.    

One thing I really enjoy doing in the crazy cold is going to see Christmas lights.  Get all bundled up, buy overpriced coffee, and hot chocolate and go.  I absolutely adore the look on my boys' faces.  They light up at the sight! And really, so does my husband.  We've gone to see the Zoo lights and drove in neighborhoods that have amazing lights, but nothing beat the Grotto's Festival of Lights for me this year.  https://thegrotto.org/   The Grotto is a National Catholic Shrine dedicated to Mary, Our Sorrowful Mother.  You can read all about it on their website if you like.  During the Christmas season they put on a Festival of Lights. They have a couple local food venders, a little animal petting area, a windy walkway of trees that are lit up with lights - its incredible.  Carolers singing in a tent, and a beautiful performance by local choirs changing shifts every hour in a gorgeous sanctuary.  The experience is a must during the season.

So far this is my favorite place to see the lights and listen to choirs singing songs they have been practicing to sing in the sanctuary for months.  There is just a feeling of Christmas.  Goodness, it was 32 degrees of pure freeze outside, but we loved it. Well until our two year old had a melt down and we had to go home before he turned unto an icicle.  (worth it) 

There is a lot of info on the history of the Grotto, events, pricing, mission statement and such on their website.   https://thegrotto.org/ 

“Let this be a sanctuary of peace for all peoples of the earth and surely in this day a sanctuary is needed. Torn with differences, strife, and grief, the world needs sanctuary where the human spirit can seek peace and consolation.” - Archbishop Alexander Christie (in the year 1924, but so true today)